January 22, 2008

This weekend I went to visit some good friends who live about an hour away. We spent the day, grilling out, talking and playing games. I did not realize until my son started to get whiny that it was 11:30 pm, and I still had to drive an hour to get home. So I started my van up, and let it run and get warm (it was 15 degrees outside) and loaded the kids up. As I drove down the hill my gas light went on. So I drove to the nearest gas station, which (of course!) was closed. I did not know this town well enough to venture off the path to find another gas station, so I decided to keep going and pull off at the next one I came across.

There were NONE, (this area I was driving through is newer, and not quite developed) so I kept going, as I drove I went through the BIG scary city, and was afraid to get off in this area, so I kept going and figured I had enough to make it through the bad part.

***ok side note. This van I’m driving is new, I had just traded my durango in for it, and had not yet reached empty. My durango could make it 2 days on empty so I thought I had plenty to get me to a better area)

So i’m sure you guessed it by now, as I’m getting to the exit I want to take to get gas, the car shuts down. So I PRAY and I put it in neutral and coast as far as I can. I made it about a 1/2 a mile UPHILL which was weird. And I ended up at the stop light which thank heavens had a very large shoulder. I could see the gas station across the bridge about a half a mile away. By now it was 12am, and I was so scared to have to walk this with my kids in the freezing cold dark dangerous road.

I started to panic, and so I prayed and I asked for help because I was so scared and I did not know what to do.

*** oh another side note, I have no cell phone!

So I start to get out of the car, and a guy in a large truck is stopped at the light and asks me if i’m ok. I look at him, and I just trust that God will keep me and the kids safe, so I yell back that I have run out of gas.

So he backs up and pulls behind me. He gets out of the truck and I was SO relieved! He was an under cover cop. He had a bullet proof vest on that read “POLICE” across his chest. I about fell over.

He told me to get back in the car and he would go get me a gas can and some gas.

I title this post “Small Miracles?” with a question mark, because I believe all miracles are equally HUGE. There is no such thing as a small one!

I realize that I was totally at fault for this, that I should not have let my tank get so low. Even so, my Heavenly Father was looking out for us, keeping us safe.

I cannot even begin to express my gratitude and love to my Father in Heaven. He amazes me constantly, even when, no, ESPECIALLY when, I do not deserve it!

There are a few good people on the blog, and then there are the most hateful folks I have ever encountered. And I have met some pretty awful people. They call themselves “Christian” and yet they lack the qualities of true Christians. They twist LDS beliefs, and then when an LDS person comes to defend their faith they call us liars. They judge, and then justify their actions by saying it’s ok to judge NON Christians.

This is why I LOVE Mormons. I have never heard hateful things about any other person or religion come from ANYBODY’S mouth. They are the kindest most loving people I have ever met. They even love those who hate them. You Mormons out there are such amazing examples. Thank you all for being so flippin wonderful.

So many people try to bring up the “you joined because you felt accepted and they befriended you”. Which is not true, I did not know ONE member when I joined. I joined because I prayed, and my prayer was answered. BUT, the LDS people have shown me a glimpse of My Heavenly Father, and His Son because of their loving examples!

The intent of these hateful people is to tear us down and deceive others. But the only thing they have succeeded in, is reminding me how grateful I am for the Gospel, and how grateful I am for the awesome Mormons in my life, and those that I will meet in the future.

To all those who are hateful and judgemental, I feel so sorry for you, my heart goes out to you, I hope one day you open your heart and see the truth, and you will be blessed with happiness, peace, and love!

January 3, 2008

With the Holiday stress behind me, I look at the New Year with optimism. I have renewed hope that we can continue on our Journey here, and continue to grow and learn.

During the little break I thought a lot about the people I have met here, and how their views have influenced and changed me. I have learned a lot from everyone.

From BR and EJ I have learned that it is possible to love people even when their views are very different then mine. The 3 of us were able to form a very sweet friendship, one that is very special to me.

From Coventry I have actually learned the most. I have appreciated his insight and involvement here. He made things very interesting. And I now know, there are good people out there, that are good just to be good, and I think that is pretty amazing.

And then there are all my sweet Mormon buddies, who rescued me from the crazy Anti’s 🙂 Without them I probably would have torn my hair out 🙂

So I am opening the blog back up for discussion. But just know that I am renewed and ready!!!! My love for the Anti’s is fixin to explode!!!!!!!

December 22, 2007

This Christmas has been extremly sad and difficult for myself and my children with my husband being so far away.

It’s also hitting me a bit harder when people comment here regarding my faith in my Savior, whom I hold so dear to my heart. Because it is Christmas, I want to be happy and focus on the Savior, without being told that I am not a “Christian”.

The reason I started this blog was to help people understand that Mormons are great people, who try there best to live according to what they know to be true.

But instead people come here and try to tear down our beliefs.

My hope was that people would want to hear us. Instead they close their ears and talk over us.

I used to be anti too, but one day I figured it was only fair to hear what an actual Mormon had to say, rather then listen to all the non Mormons preach about what Mormons believe. I’m so glad that I did.

My hope is for all God’s children (which is EVERYONE) will have the kind of peace that I have found. I will always hope for this, even when others are hateful and mean.

Because of the sadness I feel right now, I have decided to shut down my blog. I will be opening it back up after the new year. Hopefully this will give everyone a break, and we can start fresh.

My hope will always stay the same, that people will find that the LDS faith is true and wonderful, that the church has been restored, that God loves His children and He still talks to us.

I know that my Savior lives, because of his sacrifice my burdens have been lifted, I have peace in my heart, and happiness in my soul. I love Him with everything inside of me!

How many times do we hear this statement…”but Mormons believe in a DIFFERENT Jesus”. It’s frustrating and very very sad. My hope is that this post will clear up any confusion, and that those who think this will see that we believe in Jesus Christ, the one and only, the Son of God, the Savior of the world!

This is what I know about Him.

I know that He is God’s Son. He was choosen to be the Savior of the world. He taught us how to live, and He suffered and died for each and every one of us. He sits at the right hand of the Father, and He will come again, and I look forward to that day!

I know the love of Christ. When I met my missionaries I could see His love shining in their eyes. I know that, because of Him, I have been forgiven and my sins and my burdens have been lifted from me. I could never express my love and gratitude towards Him. He is my Savior and I look forward to the day that I meet Him. People can say all day long that I do not know Him, but what THEY say means nothing, because HE knows that I know Him. HE knows that I love Him. My heart has been healed and it is because of my Heavenly Father and because of His Son Jesus Christ!!!!!!

And I will end by quoting my favorite verse of my FAVORITE song

“I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I’ll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above.”

I have had so many amazing mormons comment on my blog. There have been so many comments that I am so behind in my reading and I have not been able to respond to even 1/4 of your comments! I apologize, and I want each and everyone of you to know how very thankful I am! The name of my blog is “Mormons Rock” and you have all just proven it!

I’m a bit overwhelmed (in a GOOD way) Your comments have brought me so much comfort and joy.

People can say what they wish about the people and the religion, but I know that Mormons are the kindest, most loving, most amazing people in the world!

Knowing the Gospel is true is the most amazing gift I could ever be given. I would not trade it for all the book smarts in the world 🙂

Thank you all for comming here, thank you for your comments, thank you for sharing your stories, and thank you for going at it with Brad and EJ 🙂

(I actually feel a bit sorry for them! )

To all non Mormons out there, My purpose in my blog is to share with you what I have found. I have peace in my heart, and a knowledge that my Father in Heaven LOVES ME! My wish is for EVERYONE to have what I have!

So to all my Mormon friends, and to all my Non Mormon friends, I love you all SO very much!!!!!!!!

November 13, 2007

…”Straight is the gate and narrow the path that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14

Not everyone will accept the gospel, not everyone will take the straight and narrow path. Although I wish everyone could have the happiness that the gospel brings and the joy that taking the straight path will bring you.

The gospel WILL be taught to all the world, it does not mean everyone will accept it, but it will be taught.